Improvement in toy blocks



H. B. OWEN.

Toy Blocks.I 5

No.153599, Patentedjuly 28,1874.

Fig. 2.

WITNESSES |NVENTOR v ATTORN E-Y S.

4E GRAPHIC C0, PHDTO'LITH391141PARK PLACE, NN,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.'

HENRY B. OWEN, OF OSKALOOSA, IOWA.

IMPROVEMENT IN TOY BLOCKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 153,599, dated July 28,1874; application filed February 28, 1874.

To all whom it may concern: J

Beit known that I, HENRY B. OWEN, of Oskaloosa, in the county ot' Mahaska and State of Iowa, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Amusement Blocks; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation ofthe saine, reference being had to the annexed drawings making a part of this specification, and to the letters and iigures of reference marked thereon.

Figure l of the drawing is a representation of a perspective View of one of my blocks and Fig. 2 is a sectional View ofthe same. Fig. 8 is a view of my complete device.

This invention has relation to blocks for the amusement of children and others who are fond of puzzles and games; and it consists, mainly, in providing blocks of geometrical forms, and so constructed that each surface willl be formed of a piece of wood of diiferent color from that which forms the opposite face-as, for instance, walnut and pine-,whereby a great variety of pleasing combinations may be effected.

In illustrating' this invention I have shown in the drawings a box of blocks having three geometrical forms, the square, the triangle, and the lozenge, all the sides of the squares and lozenges being of equal length with two of the sides of each triangle, the third side of the latter being longer, as the triangles employed are right angled. Other geometrical forms may be employed, their sides being suit' ably matched; but those hereinbefore mentioned will show clearly the invention.

A square box may be arranged to hold, neatly packed, eight triangles, eight squares,

and sixteen lozenges of the character mentioned, as illustrated in the drawings.

The elegant method of producing blocks of the character referred to consists in constructing each block in two separate halves, a b, of dark and light wood, or other suitable material, and gluing them together.

In a box of blocks shaped and constructed in the manner indicated will be found interestiug and instructive amusement. By changing the position of the blocks alone a great number of combinations may be effected but, when it is considered that the blocks can be reversed, changing the color as well as the location, it will be apparent that the variations in the mosaic patterns which can be produced, even with the small box [have illustrated, are almost unlimited.

In connection with the box the blocks serve as a puzzle, as they can be readily introduced into the box only when the eight triangles are arranged two on a side, and with their long sides next the sides of the box.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The set of toy geometric building-blocks herein described, consisting of squares, triangles, and lozenges, and made of two pieces of light and dark wood,permanentlysecured together, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

HENRY BYRON OWEN.

Witnesses:

J As. E. SNOWDEN, G. W. WEEKS. 

